SA: Kruger National Park

The Kruger National was established in 1898 by the then South African President, Paul Kruger to protect the wildlife and to reduce hunting. It is one of the biggest conservation areas in the world and covers 20,000 Kms (bigger than Isreal or Wales)! If you take the adjacent private game reserves into consideration it is the size of Belgium. It has more large mammal species than any other reserve in the world including the 'Big 5': Elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo not to mention all the plains game and diverse birdlife and flora. There are 5 distinct ecosystems which varies from semi arid to acacia thicket, baobab sandveld and riverine forest. I have had the privilege of visiting since early childhood and we have provided our children with the same opportunity so this piece of paradise remains our 'happy place'. WARNING: It is highly addictive!

🙂 EVERYTHING TO LOVE!! Incredible wildlife. Incredible landscapes. Smell of thatch.

🙁 HOT. Highly addictive!

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The Kruger National Park caters for all budgets when it comes to accommodation. The bigger camps offer swimming pools where you can cool down after a hot game drive as well as dining options if you want to skip your braai and are in the mood for eating out. It is easily accessible as you can travel by road and enter at any of the 11 Entrance Gates, or you can fly into the rustic Skukuza Airport. You are able to purchase map books and self drive with ease. Alternatively guided morning / sunset / night drives can be booked at camp. For the more adventurous the Bush Walks are the way to go offering an alternative way of immersing yourself deeply in the smells, sounds and sights of this pristine environment – a MUST DO! We can highly recommend the services of Irving Knight. The newly refurbished and really wild Skukuza Golf Course offers an exhilarating experience not to be missed if you are a keen golfer…although we have had to skip Hole 9 due to buffalo presence and drive at warthogs to get them to move so that we can play on! Hippos are a constant source of entertainment as they snort and honk in the water surrounding you…blissful.

🙂 Heaven on Earth

🙁 Gate and Camp Closing Times

Go to: Berg en Dal

Go to: Biyamiti

Go to: Lower Sabie

Go to: Skukuza

Highlights: 2009

Highlights: 2010

Highlights: 2011

Highlights: 2012

Highlights: 2013

Here is a taster from some of our tens of thousands of photos from over the years taken on foot, self drives and safari drives of what you may be lucky enough to spot – this is the magic of the bush – you never know what to expect and every outing is unique:

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South Africa
South Africa
South Africa